Enough money is left from the previous, equally contestedauthorization in 2011to pay for care for another year, but lawmakers from both states have been pushing in both the House and Senate to authorize a more permanent solution.

Neither House nor Senate leaders have publicly announced when a bill to reauthorize would be up for a vote.

On Wednesday, local leaders called on Congress to act sooner rather than later.

Congress must stop putting politics ahead of our heroes' health," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement, "and ensure that our police officers, firefighters, medical professionals and all first responders and survivors receive the health care and support they need and deserve."

Public Advocate Letitia James agreed: "Allowing the Zadroga Act to expire goes against our most basic values as Americans, and would be a national mark of shame."